Making a final decision is always important and at the same time difficult as it involves careful scrutiny while collecting information and enquiring about the product. Selecting the right product relieves you off from all tensions as you would be very well satisfied with the product. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is other wise called as TFT (Thin Film Transistor). LCD displays are multi functional. It is capable of displaying HDTV, home video and standard TV. Also inputs for composite video, S-video, component video, RGB inputs from a computer and HDMI or DVI inputs for HDTV are included.

The advantages of LCD displays are that LCD displays are flatter and have higher contrasts than CRT monitors. It can operate well in a brightly lit room and comes with anti glare screen. Dot pitch is an issue that is affecting the overall value of the LCD monitors. Dot pitch is the distance between the sub pixels of same colour. Smaller dot pitch generates sharper pictures. Computer signal images and graphs are displayed with more clarity when dot pitch is smaller.

Key Features:

• Sharp text

• Good colour performance

• Design/ appearance

• Contrast ratio

• Price

• Video input

Advantages of a TFT/LCD:

• Crisp image

• More display area

• Space saver

• Perfect screen geometry

• No convergence problems

• Thin and stylish

• Energy efficient

• Relatively lightweight, especially in larger sizes

Disadvantages of a TFT/LCD:

• More expensive than CRT monitors

• Fragile

• Limited viewing angle

Factors to be considered before buying a LCD monitor:

Resolution

Resolution is the key factor to look for while deciding about buying a LCD monitor of our own. Resolution is the number of pixels that are displayed on the screen. More the number of pixels greater will be the clarity. Resolution must be at least 1,024 x 768 for sufficient screen display.

Speaker

Built in speakers are available in most of the monitors nowadays. Hence this factor has to be considered. If the graphics card supports digital video interface output, then a screen with DVI input will give better quality image. Integrated USB hub is available with most of the LCD monitors. Most of the speakers and tuners are plug and play devices and it is easy to connect.

Size

The overall size of the LCD monitor is small and handy compared to the CRT monitors. The visible screen size is larger as sharp displays are produced by each pixel that is formed by a tiny cell, which contains thin layer of liquid crystals.

Viewing angle

The viewing angle is also one of the major factors to be considered while buying a LCD monitor. Viewing angle is the maximum angle from where viewing is possible.

Response time

Response time is the time taken by the pixel to get refreshed. It is measured in milliseconds. LCD displays are available that come with response time lesser that 20ms. LCD displays with response time that is greater than 20ms make images jerk.

Accessories

Different companies give various accessories such as monitor arms, monitor stands, screen filters etc. You have to enquire about the accessories supplied to avoid losing any.

Warranty

Warranty offered by different companies differs in number of years. Hence this is also one of the major factors to be considered while buying a LCD display.

TFT/ LCD displays Vs CRT

Deciding upon a CRT or a TFT is also important. Though CRT is becoming less popular it is designed to have colour depth and high resolution. There are also some models that are quite heavy to be shifted from one place. Graphics professional may always prefer to use CRT than the flat screen displays or LCD displays. TFT screens are becoming more popular as they are lighter in weight and occupy less space. Working near a TFT is more comfortable than working near a CRT monitors. CRT screens are designed with better redraw rate. Pictures on the screen blur occasionally. Also the colour depth is true in the case of a CRT screen. LCD displays do not come with scan lines. Smooth images are reproduced with saturated colour.

Although there are numerous products available in the market, selecting the right product is the ultimate goal. Right product gives right satisfaction to you.